Heavy duty submarine type anchor



Jan. 21, 1964 J. s. SAWYER 3,118,416

HEAVY DUTY SUBMARINE TYPE ANCHOR Filed July 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Joseph .5. Sawyer IN VENTOR.

Anomq:

Jan. 21, 1964 J. s. SAWYER HEAVY DUTY SUBMARINE TYPE ANCHOR h E 1 @W m 3E m S 0 s m w w Z Y B .0

Filed July 25. 1961 Jan. 21, 1964 J. s. SAWYER HEAVY DUTY SUBMARINE TYPEANCHOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 25, 1961 United States Patent M3,118,416 HEAVY DUTY SUBMARINE TYPE ANCHOR Joseph S. Eawyer, 126Exchange Place, New Orleans 16, La. Filed July 25, 1961, Ser. No.126,693 7 Claims. (Cl. 114-206) This invention comprisesa novel anduseful heavy duty submarine type anchor and more particularly pertainsto an anchoring device of sufiicient mass to afford a very strong aridheavy duty anchor especially adapted for the.

mooring of off-shore drilling barges or other devices in which theanchoring force required is relatively enormous.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heavy duty anchorwhich is rendered maneuverable and mobile by rendering the anchorselectively floatable or submersible.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor construction inaccordance with the foregoing objects which may be readily made in anydesired size and having any desired anchoring capacity by merely addingthereto further unitary components.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide asubmersible anchor which will have a maximum resistance to movement inone direction to afford the maximum anchoring power, and shall have aminimum resistance to move in the other direction to thereby enable theanchor to be withdrawn from its anchoring position with ease.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide asubmarine anchor which when rendered buoyant may be readily maneuveredupon the surface with a minimum interference of obstructions outside ofits body, and may be easily submerged to the bottom or rendered buoyantto lift the same from the bottom as desired.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction md operationas more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numeralsrefer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of heavy dutysubmarine anchor in accordance with this invention, the fiukes or palmsof the anchor being shown in their operative anchoring position;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and showing inelevation one of the pontoon components of the anchor with parts beingbroken away and shown in vertical section, the anchor being shown on thesea bottom and with the fluke in its anchoring position;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical transverse sectional detail View takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by section line 3-8 of FIGURE 2and showing all of the pontoon components of the anchor in anchoringposition upon the sea bottom;

FIGURE 4 is a detail View of the means by which the anchor flukes may belocked in their raised or inoperative position;

FIGURE 5 is a view in elevation showing the manner in which the anchoris positioned for operation together with the manner in which surfacevessels or objects are secured to the anchor;

Bilbfilb Patented .Fan. 21, 1954 FIGURE 6 is a somewhat diagrammaticview in top plan of a modified construction of anchor in its simplestform, an additional fluke member being shown in dotted lines therein;

FIGURE 7 is a view in top plan of still another embodiment of anchorincorporating therein four pontoons with three flukes.

Reference is made first to the embodiment of the submarine anchordisclosed in FIGURES l-5 of the drawings. In FIGURE 5, the anchorindicated generally by the numeral It) is shown resting upon the seabottom 12 in operative position and with its flukes 14 embedded in thesea bottom to provide a maximum resistance to a pull in the directionindicated by the arrow 16, while affording a minimum resistance tomovement in a direction indicated by the arrow 18. With the anchorsubmerged upon the bottom, a bridle 21) connects to the anchor, anchorlines 22 so that the objects to which these lines are attached may havemaximum resistance opposed to movement in the direction indicated by thearrow 16. A further bridle 24 secured to the other end of the anchor isconnected to a line or chain 26 carried by a surface vessel 28 and bymeans of which the anchor may be moved in the direction indicated by thearrow 18 to disengage the flukes of the anchor. Shown at 3'3 is asurface vessel containing pumps and other equipment for supplyingcompressed air as by a conduit 32 into the various tanks formed withinthe anchor 16 in order to vary its buoyancy, its trim and the like.

Referring next primarily to FIGURE 1 in conjunction with FIGURES 2 and 3it will be observed that the anchor 19 consists of an open framework orcatamaran type of hull, being formed of a plurality of longitudinallyextending pontoons each indicated by the numeral 49 and which arerigidly connected together in side-by-side spaced relation as bycombined spacing and bracing struts 42. In the embodiment illustratedthese struts are formed at the front and rear end only of the pontoonbut it will be understood that any desired number of the struts may beprovided dependin upon the forces to be applied to the anchor and theuses for which the anchor is intended.

The pontoons 40 are hollow elongated hull components and are dividedlongitudinally into a plurality of separated compartments or tanks bysuitable bulk heads shown in dotted lines at 44 in FIGURE 2. Preferablythe arrangement is such that there are provided compartments 46 at thetwo ends of each pontoon which comprise trim tanks by which the trim ofthe pontoon and thus of the entire anchor may be accurately controlledand adjusted. The mid-portion of the pontoons comprise a plurality ofballast tanks 43, any desired number of these tanks being provided. Aswill be appreciated, the trim tanks and the ballast tanks of each of thecomponents at of the anchor may be individually regulated.

Each compartment of each pontoon, Whether comprising a trim tank or aballast tank, is provided with a valve controlled combination vent andseacock 50 which may be manually operated. In addition there may beprovided a seacock in each compartment disposed in the bottom thereof,not shown, and which may be manually operated as by a reach rod toenable flooding of any desired compartment.

A vent pipe 52 is also provided for each compartment of the ballasttanks and has its lower end terminating closely adjacent the bottom wallof its compartment. These vent pipes equalize the pressure between thesea water and the interior of the ballast tanks and serve to dischargethe ballast when the ballast tanks are blown.

An air pressure line 54 extends along the length of the top surface ofeach pontoon and has individual control valves 56 whereby pressure airmay be supplied to each compartment to blow the ballast or adjust thetrim. A manifold line 60 communicates with each pressure line 54 and inturn communicates with the flexible conduit where by compressed air fromthe surface equipment may be supplied to the various pontooncompartments.

Through the conduit pipes 62 compressed air may be supplied from thecontrol valves 56 to the selected compartment to blow ballast therefromor to vent the compartment to the air during flooding, either bydirectly venting the valve 56 to the atmosphere or by reversal of flowthrough the flexible conduit 32.

As so far described, it will now be apparent that when the ballast isblown from the ballast tanks there will be suflicient buoyancy to causethe entire anchor to buoyantly float at the surface, where it can bemaneuvered in the same manner as a barge or other powerless marinevessel. When it is desired to submerge the anchor as for example whenthe anchor has been towed to the proper position where its services willbe required, it is merely necessary to open the seacocks 5t) and valvecontrolled air vents 62 on the top surface of each of the tankswhereupon ballast will be taken into the tanks and the anchor willsettle to the sea bottom. Whcn it is desired to raise the anchor, thismay be effected either by applying a force to the bridle 24 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 18 of FIGURE 5 thereby releasing theflukes and also lifting the anchor, or by blowing the ballast from thetanks whereupon the inherent buoyancy of anchor will cause the same tofloat to the surface.

Between each of the pontoons there is provided a fluke 7 0 which isadapted to engage into the sea bottom and thus securely anchor thedevice against movement in a direction indicated by the arrow 16. Aswill be more readily apparent from FIGUE 2, in conjunction with FIGURE1, each fluke consists of an elongated plate-like member having apointed lower extremity 72 adapted to penetrate the sea bottom to aconsiderable depth. Along its opposite sides the plate-like body of thefluke has stiffening downturned flanges 74 and at the upper end of thefluke a transverse axle '76 extending from pontoon to pontoon forms ahinge or pivot means for pivoting movement of the fluke. The weight ofthe anchor fluke is suflicient to cause the same to drop to its loweredoperative position. In order to raise the fluke there is secured uponits top surface a lifting eye 78 to which a cable 80 is attached, thiscable passing over a pulley 82 carried by a derrick 84 which straddlesthe space between two adjacent pontoons. The cable 80 after passing overthe pulley 82 is engaged with a winch 86 which may be manually operatedas indicated by the handle 83. In this manner each of the flukes may beindividually raised as desired, so that they will be disposed completelybetween adjacent pontoons and also positioned between the top and bottomsurfaces of the latter to otter no hindrance to navigation by the anchorassembly which now can operate as a floating platform or barge.

In order to retain the anchor flukes in their raised position, suitablebrackets 90 are secured to the adjacent sides of adjacent pontoons whichbrackets have sleeves 92 therein adapted to receive locking pins 94. Asshown in a detail view of FIGURE 4 each of these locking pins isL-shaped having a stem portion d6 rotatably received in the cylindricalportion 92 of the bracket and a horizontally extending arm 98 which isadapted to engage with the anchor fluke 70 to retain the same in itsraised position.

The usual towing bits 1% and the like are provided upon the pontoons asare eyebolts 162 to which the anchor and towing bridlcs 20 and 24 areconnected.

It will be appreciated that the pontoons may be formed of any desiredsize and length in order to aiford the necessary over-all strength andanchoring ability for the assembly. Further, although but one fluke isshown between each adjacent pair of pontoons, it is to be understoodthat any desired number of such flukes may be used along the length ofthe pontoons where desired.

Although three pontoons with two flakes therebetwecn form a verysatisfactory arrangement, it will be understood that in some instancesthe submarine anchor may consist of but a single pair of pontoons withone or more flukes disposed therebetwecn. Such a modified constructionis shown in FIGURE 6 wherein the numeral designates generally thesubmarine anchor therein having the pontoons 112 and 114 with bracestruts 116 therebetween and having flakes 118. Additional cross bracing126 can be provided in this construction or any other constructionsdisclosed herein in order to provide any necessary rigidity. Also shownin FIGURE 6 in dotted lines is a further additional fluke 122. It willbe understood that any desired number of such flukes may be employed asmay be found desirable. Inasmuch as the construction of the pontoons,the trim and ballast tanks thereof and the ballast control means as wellas the fluke mounting and locking structures is identical to thatpreviously described a further description is deemed to be unnecessary.

Although three pontoons are a preferred construction, any desired numberof pontoons may be enclosed in side by side relation when it is desiredto increase the capacity of the anchor assembly. Thus, as shown inFIGURE 7, the numeral 130 indicates a modified construction having fourpontoons 132 which are rigidly connected together by braces or trusses134 in the manner previously described and are provided with ilukes 136.As previously stated, any desired number of such flukes may be providedinasmuch as the structures of the flakes their operating means andmounting means, the ballast tank and the air pressure supply means forthe same is identical to that previously described a further descriptionis thought to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddcscribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A submarine anchor comprising an open-work assembly consisting of aplurality of elongated pontoons rigidly connected together in spacedside-by-side arrangements to provide a seaworthy hull, a flat,plate-like fluke disposed between each pair of adjacent pontoons,horizontal pivot means mounting each fluke between the pair of adjacentpontoons for vertical swinging movement about an axis transverse to saidpontoons and between an operative, downwardly inclined positionprojecting below said pontoons and a raised, substantially horizontalposition between said pontoons, all of said flukes in their operativepositions being inclined in the same direction whereby to provide anincreased resistance to movement of the assembly in said direction, andmeans on said platform for raising and lowering said ilukcs.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said raising and lowering meansconsists of a derrick, cable and winch for each fluke said cable beingconnected to a fluke.

3. The combination of claim 1 including lock means carried by saidpontoons on the si es thereof and engageable with said fiukes forretaining the latter in their raised positions.

4. The combination of claim 1 including anchor bridlcs and towingbridles secured to opposite ends of said assembly.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pontoons have trim andballast tanks therein for regulating the trim 7. The combination ofclaim 6 including pressure and buoyancy of said assembly and means forsupplying equalizing means establishing communication between air underpressure to said ballast tanks for blowing the the interior of one ofsaid tanks and the sea water. ballast therefrom to render said assemblybuoyant. References Cited in the file of this patent 6. The combinationof dam 1 wherem said pontoons 5 have trim and ballast tanks therein forregulating the UNITED STATES PATENTS trim and buoyancy of said assembly,an air line mounted 45 8,473 MacDonald Aug. 25, 1891 upon and extendinglongitudinally of each pontoon, 2,551,375 Hayward May 1, 1951 valvedconnections independently communicating said line 2,960,832 Hayward Nov.22, 1960 with each ballast tank in its pontoon. 10 3,005,438 MuldowneyOct. 24, 1961

1. A SUBMARINE ANCHOR COMPRISING AN OPEN-WORK ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF APLURALITY OF ELONGATED PONTOONS RIGIDLY CONNECTED TOGETHER IN SPACEDSIDE-BY-SIDE ARRANGEMENTS TO PROVIDE A SEAWORTHY HULL, A FLAT,PLATE-LIKE FLUKE DISPOSED BETWEEN EACH PAIR OF ADJACENT PONTOONS,HORIZONTAL PIVOT MEANS MOUNTING EACH FLUKE BETWEEN THE PAIR OF ADJACENTPONTOONS FOR VERTICAL SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO SAIDPONTOONS AND BETWEEN AN OPERATIVE, DOWNWARDLY INCLINED POSITIONPROJECTING BELOW SAID PONTOONS AND A RAISED, SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALPOSITION BETWEEN SAID PONTOONS, ALL OF SAID FLUKES IN THEIR OPERATIVEPOSITIONS BEING INCLINED IN THE SAME DIRECTION WHEREBY TO PROVIDE ANINCREASED RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY IN SAID DIRECTION, ANDMEANS ON SAID PLATFORM FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID FLUKES.